The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) on Wednesday hosted its 60th Graduation Ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, marking six decades of excellence in agricultural education and training. A total of eighty-four students graduated this year with diplomas and certificates across various disciplines, reaffirming GSA’s role as a cornerstone in advancing food security, innovation, and agricultural development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, congratulated the graduating class and reminded them of the pivotal role they will play in Guyana’s ongoing transformation.
“Since its founding in 1963, the Guyana School of Agriculture has been dedicated to providing high-quality agricultural education and practical training through its programmes such as Diplomas and Certificates in Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, Fisheries Studies, and Agro-Processing. GSA continues to play a vital role in supporting food security and agricultural innovation across Guyana and the Caribbean. Through collaboration with agencies such as NAREI, the Ministry of Agriculture, and CARICOM partners, the School is helping to drive the region’s goal of reducing the food import bill by 25% by 2025,” Minister Mustapha said.
He praised the graduates for their resilience and encouraged them to embrace the modern tools and technologies reshaping the sector.
“This year alone, 84 of you—40 males and 44 females—joined this distinguished group, ready to contribute to Guyana’s agricultural development. You are graduating at a time of transformation. New technologies such as hydroponics, drone mapping, tunnel houses, digital extension services, and bio-based fertilizers like nano-urea are no longer futuristic ideas; they are realities being implemented right here in Guyana. Our government continues to invest in research and development, irrigation upgrades, agro-processing hubs, and value-added production. We are also proud to welcome students from Grenada and St. Lucia, and we remain committed to providing scholarships and targeted training programmes for nationals of other CARICOM countries,” the Minister noted.
Minister Mustapha further highlighted that, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the GSA has expanded its academic offerings to meet the evolving needs of the agriculture sector.
He noted the introduction of the Certificate in Livestock Production and Management, a new programme designed to provide practical, hands-on skills in animal health and production, particularly targeting students from hinterland and rural communities.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Hon. Sonia Parag, who delivered the charge to the graduates, commended the students for their dedication and urged them to serve with purpose and professionalism.
“Agriculture has carried this country long before the discovery of oil,” Minister Parag said. “Your training must now serve the nation—whether in animal health, forestry, or agro-processing. It is through your work that Guyana will continue to grow as a food-secure and self-sufficient country,” she emphasized.
Minister Parag also reminded the graduates that the agriculture sector remains a key pillar of Guyana’s national development and a driving force in the country’s diversification agenda.
The ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement but also GSA’s enduring legacy of producing industry-ready professionals who are helping to modernize agriculture and ensure Guyana’s continued leadership in regional food production and innovation.
